Struggles

In the last couple of weeks my outlook on this war we are fighting has been tested to say the least. Two weeks ago tomorrow my good friend Stacy Greer received the call that her husband Daniel had been injured by an IED in Afghanistan. Stacy and Daniel haven't been married long (2008) and have a little son that will be 2 soon, Ethan, but to say that their love was anything but absolutely amazing would be an understatement. I've never seen two people love each other so much. From the very beginning it was evident that these two were soulmates. Daniel has since went to be with Jesus and Stacy and Ethan and family and friends are left with this hole in our hearts that is absolutely unfillable. Its absolutely surreal. You hear of this happening to other families (thousands of them now) but to actually know the hero is just so unbelievable.

It is now the Muslim Holiday of Ramadan. Its the 9th month in the Muslim calendar and its a 30 day fasting period with many rules to be followed. As we've seen over the last almost 10 years at war the violence escalates against our troops during this time. The leadership and elders at my church, The Journey (www.thejourneytn.org) are currently using the Ramadan period to pray for the Muslims and their salvation. I praise them for having the strength to pray and honestly until two weeks ago it would've been an easier task for me. When Robbie mentioned this at church this past Sunday I shook my head in anger and looked and Patrick and said "I just can't pray for them Patrick I can't". I know this is not what God would want for me; the anger and hatred I feel right now, but I'm human. I look into the eyes of one of closest friends and I see the biggest hurt I've ever seen. I look into the eyes of their son Ethan and see a little boy that will never know his father. I think of all the struggles for their families and the fact that the hardest part is yet to come for them. AND WHY?? Because of hatred and ignorance. I know that Daniel wanted to be a Marine loved being a Marine, but I also know that he loved being a father and a husband more. I'm just so angry that its been all taken away.

I say all this to say, I'm struggling right now with doing what I know God would want me to do. I know that in order to begin to heal and feel his comfort all involved will have to forgive the ones that have done this. I'm just not ready and I'd dare to say there are alot of people that feel the way I do; those that loved Daniel and love Stacy and Ethan and both of the families. I wish I could take away the pain and hurt from my dear friends but I know that this a wound only God can heal.

I pray and I ask for prayers that Stacy and family everyone that loved Daniel will feel the warm and comforting arms of Jesus as they deal with saying goodbye to our fallen hero and that moving forward they will feel his comfort in the dark times to come. I also pray for my own heart that I will do what Gods will is concerning the forgiveness of the responsible parties.

Today is the visitation for Daniel and tomorrow is the funeral. We may be saying goodbye to him here on earth but I know that he is in Heaven watching and enjoying his time with Jesus until we see his face again. RIP Cpl Kristopher Daniel Greer, your memory will always be remembered. A great husband, father, Marine, firefighter, man and hero. When we look at Ethan we will always be able to rememeber your smile.